I agree.

They weren’t shocked per se, however clearly OAI is on their radar.

Not entirely unlike during COVID when Xoom taught most Americans about web conferencing. Arguably good for the entire space, but the company in the public imagination probably didn’t deserve all the accolades.

So the question for Google and other responsible AI companies, is how to capitalize on the consumer awareness/adoption, but do it in a way that acknowledges the real constraints (that OAI are less concerned with). MSFT is all ready running into some of those constraints viz the partnership (interesting to see Sataya get over his skis a little. That’s not his usual MO).

Most of these “indications” are poorly sourced commentary, out of context internal docs, and absolute (or convient) ignorance re the space, it’s history, and Google’s work therein.

Go back and look at the articles. Very little actual indications Google is “scrambling” they’ve been thinking deeply about this space for longer than most folks have heard about it.

Among many other related asides, there aren’t many global (or even US) comprehensive AI rules. However Google has issued white papers and has lobby heavily for thoughtful regulation. Google not recklessly following the current AI-hype train doesn’t read to me that they were caught flat footed. Anything but.

But the headlines are catchy